Comments
Lib Dem desertions coming thick and fast. Business not impressed with Clameron
2010-05-14 11:21:41
Off to Dublin today to see a few old friends and do the Late Late Show. It'll be nice to be in a country where the majority will have no truck with the idea that a Conservative government could ever be a progressive government, even when propped up by someone as nicely turned out as Nick Clegg.
A word on the hugely enjoyable, and fantastically organised, Sport Industry Awards last night. The big awards went to Alex Ferguson and Brendan Foster, presented respectively by Fabio Capello and, in Brendan's case, Tanni Grey-Thompson and the legend that is Haile Gebreselassie.
Having been a judge on the awards panel, I was particularly pleased to see the pure joy brought by the award to the team from Everton FC for the work they do in mental health.
I presented the Leadership Award to Nick Fry, part of team that presided over the best comeback story in Formula One history which led to Jensen Button becoming world champion. He managed to slip into his speech that he voted Labour, and said afterwards he was really disappointed at what had happened.
Maybe I just attract anti-Tories but in what was a pretty affluent, black tie dinner, I was struck by how many people sought me out to say the same thing. Fergie, Brendan and Tanni are huge Labour supporters anyway, so they don't count! But plenty of others, including many in the business community, felt Cameron had failed to win a majority because he didn't really know how to lead, whilst Nick Clegg was being seen by some as an unprincipled opportunist.
And when I had a little dig at Clegg when being interviewed on stage before I presented the award, fair to say it went down better than I had been expecting. There was also a lot of suspicion around at the news that the Tories had refused to commit to ring-fencing Olympic Games budgets, and a big desire that Tessa Jowell should continue to have a role in the preparation of the Games.
Meanwhile, more and more ex Lib Dems come to Labour. Apologies if the books being asked for take a bit longer to get out than usual but we have been overwhelmed by the sudden surge asking to buy The Blair Years and raise cash for Labour http://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php.
Meanwhile, here are just a few of the messages left on Labour's website by recent recruits.
Ruth from Cambridge
"I voted Lib Dem to keep the tories out. Now the LDs are with the tories, I'm coming back to Labour."
Craig from Newcastle upon Tyne
"Former member of Liberal Democrats - the idea of any discussions of supporting a Conservative Govt fills me with utter disgust"
Nick from London
"Having just voted Lib Dem at the election, wooed by the promise of a new kind of politics, I am alarmed at the prospect of a Lib/Con coalition. Have decided that I will never again desert Labour at an election and wanted to go a step further and join the party."
Pam from Newcastle upon Tyne
"Since the election, when I am ashamed to say I was persuaded to vote tactically for the LibDems, I have been dismayed about them talking to the Tories."
Simon from Watford
"Because the Liberal Democrats have completely let me down."
Stuart from London
"I feel totally betrayed by the libdem party who have formed an unnatural coalition with the Tories. "
Alex from Witney
"I believe in labour policies and beliefs,that they are best for this country, I voted Lib Dem as a protest vote against David Cameron in the election, a wasted vote!"
Maxwell from Basingstoke
"Until recently, I was a member of the Liberal Democrats, believing that they offered a radical and progressive agenda for British politics; I see now that I was mistaken, and Labour remains the home for the progressive, centre-left in the UK - our only hope for 'A Future Fair For All'"
Mark from Reading
"As an ex-lib dem'er, I feel sick I helped to get the tories in to ruin Britain again. Doing my bit to help the progressive cause in Britain"
Anne from Southport
"Labour's never going to win in this town. I thought about the local picture, not the bigger picture, and so I voted tactically (Lib Dems) :( Never ever again will i vote tactically in my whole life. "
Scott from Manchester
"I made the mistake of voting for the Liberal Democrats, first, and last time."
James from Leamington Spa
"A week ago I was wondering about joining the Lib Dems, but they have just lost all credibility for a generation. Time to come back home to Labour."
Jane from Reading
"I voted Liberal Democrat to keep Gordon Brown and the Labour party in Government. Bad Decision and never again. I cried tears when Gordon Brown spoke following his resignation and again when David Cameron entered Number 10 - tears of sadness in the first case and fear in the second."
Elanor from London
"I am a former Liberal Democrat supporter who feels betrayed by their coalition with the Conservatives - I now feel Labour is the only viable progressive force in British politics."
Paul from Ripley
"I was very very stupid and got seduced by the empty promises of the Liberal Democrat party during the 2010 General Election campaign. Having previously been a Labour voter I shamelessly switched and voted Lib Dem. Seeing a Tory Prime Minister has made me feel desperately disappointed with myself for getting sucked in. From now on I'll live by the mantra that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It's easy to say in hindsight, but I never felt right from the moment my hand parted with the ballot paper. I wish to become an active member of the party and will look to get involved with any events/societies when I re-enter full-time education this coming September."
Isabelle from Bristol
"Because the Lib Dems just let me down."
Kate from Dorchester
"Thought about it for ages. Voted 'tactically' for Lib Dems due to West Dorset constituency - first time I haven't voted Labour and felt utterly ashamed so wanted to make amends! Feel awful sense of dread at new Government. Want to raise tax to get rid of deficit so want to work within a party to do this. Gordon Brown's resignation was so dignified it made me cry!"
Amy from London
"I voted lib dem and am disgusted and let down that they have joined with the Tories. I agree with most of labour policies and I want to see a socialist government in the future."
Alex from Maidenhead
"i am a disgruntled liberal democrat supporter"
Felix from Holsworthy
"Previously having been a Liberal Democrat, I was disgusted to see them 'sell out' by allying with the Tories and would like to support the only major progressive party left"
Mark from Newport
"Frustrated at tactically voting Lib Dems who then form an alliance with the Tory party. Will never vote Lib Dem again and stick and support Labour."
Phil from Abingdon
"Tactically voted Lib Dem to keep tories out and feel betrayed to see Cameron walking in to No.10. Will only ever vote on principal from now on...not ever tactically. "
Christopher from Glossop
"I worked for the liberal democrats in the 2010 election and feel betrayed and let down by their actions."
Laura from High Wycombe
"I am 18 and just voted for the first time, Liberal Democrat. This was a tactical vote against the Conservatives and now that I've been let down, I want to show where my real allegiances lie. "
Kim from Hornchurch
"I am disgusted as a former Liberal Democrat that Nick Clegg has deicded to prop up a Tory regime. "
Rosemary from Berwick-upon-Tweed
"I flirted with the Lib Dems, but want to come back home to the Labour Party."
Sam from Tunbridge Wells
"I voted Liberal Democrat to stop the Conservatives, but was horrified to see them prop up the Conservatives. I will never vote for them again, regardless of labour's standing in my constituency."
Chris from Wednesbury
"Stood for Lib Dems in local elections and never have felt so let down as I do tonight.Stuff them and their Tory leader,lets fight for a left wing government. "
Daniel from Billingham
"'Conned by false ideology of Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats has helped me decide to return to my first instincts that the Labour party had my best interests in mind and at heart."
Michael from London
"Always a Labour supporter, but sadly, this year seduced by Lib Dems. It seems voting Lib Dem got me Tories. Shame on them."
Callum from Bracknell
"Completely disillusioned with the Liberal Democrats. I preferred that a lot of their policies were geared towards helping students and the economic growth of our country, but i can't support a party that would ally themselves with someone who would seek to reduce the funding given to our public sector"
Catherine from Hull
"Labour is the party for a better future for the majority, not the minority who ruled for so many years in the past. They have made mistakes, of course, but it would be a much bigger one not to give them another chance. I will never vote Lib Dem again. "
Natalia from London
"I am so disgusted with the Lib Dems for forming an alliance with the Tories. I voted Lib Dem last week only because I perceive them to be to the left of Labour on some issues."
Susan from Otley
"so disappointed after election and in my area -Leeds North West I voted Lib-Dem- but would not have done so if I had known a vote for them would be a conservative vote."
Harry from New Malden
"Voted for liberal democrat, to stop the Tories but I have ended with a conservatives government. The liberals campaign that a vote for labour would not stop the conservatives, but it looks like a vote for the liberals was a vote for the conservatives. I want a modern progressive government and you will never get that with conservatives"
Vic from Bristol
"Having voted all my adult life I made the extremely dire mistake of tactically voting for the Liberal democrats. Disgusted with myself and full of remorse I have now decide to be a more active member of a party that i feel i have betrayed. sorry."
Carolyn from Dorking
"I have resigned my membership of the Liberal Democrats and wish to become a member (again) of a progressive party "
Karen from Newcastle upon Tyne
"I have supported the Liberal Democrats and been an active member for a number of years. I now feel totally betrayed by the Liberal Democrats, I certainly did not give that support to get a Tory Government"
Malcolm from Wallasey
"The decision by the Liberal Democrats to get into bed with the Conservative Party has lost them my support for the next decade at the very least."
Dan from London
"I'm sure like many who are signing up today, I voted for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election. Won't get fooled again!"
Jessica from London
"Labour have done so much to imporove this country aqnd help the lives of ordinary people. Whilst I don't agree with every policy of the past, I do believe that Gordon Brown was a good PM and a decent man. I have left the Liberal Democrats to join the Labour party because it is only Labour that now represents the progressive left."
Mark from Illford
"Left the Liberal Democrats and returned to my natural home."
Adam from Rochester
"I made the mistake of voting for the lib dem's last time, not again. "
Richard from Gloucester
"Because my Lib Dem tactical vote was to keep the Tories out, not prop them up!"
Oliver from Winchester
"Sad to see Gordon Brown go. Wanting to stand up against the Murdoch press. My tactical Lib Dem vote resulted in a Tory prime minister."
Daniel from Oxford
"I thought by voting LibDem I was keeping the Tories out of power. I am so sorry!"
Jane from Colchester
"I accidently voted for a Conservative government by voting Lib Dem something i would not knowingly have done. "
Paran from Worcester
"I voted tactically for the Liberals and will never do so again."
Isobel from Tonbridge
" I have been campaigning against the conservative party for 30 years. For the past 10 years I have campaigned on and off for the LibDems for tactical reasons (I live in Tory stronghold, safe seat). I will now NEVER vote LibDem again (not even tactically). Nor will I support them locally. I would like to concentrate on helping my local Labour Party to raise its profile in this area. Rejoining the Labour party after about twenty years is a demonstration of my commitment to this. Gordon Brown has been inspirational during this campaign; the only candidate with substance and (so it now seems) integrity. We have lost a good PM. "
Angela from East Grinstead
"I voted Lib Dem to try to keep out the Tories, never again. I want to support Labour for the fight back, they are the only party to have acted in line with their principles."
Katherine from Newcastle upon Tyne
"I've been a LibDem supporter for 15 years, despite being a die-hard socialist. I did not use my vote to vote Tory. Gordon Brown has been vilified in the press - yet he is one of the few politicians who genuinely empathised with low-income families. I don't believe the Tories would have reacted any differently to the Iraq or Global Economic crises, and our country was in safe hands with GB at the helm. That no longer applies."
Nigel from London
"Gordon Brown's dignity, and the Lib Dems' betrayal, convinced me it's time for everyone who wants progress to come home to Labour."
Nicola from Kingston
"Former Labour voter who has voted Lib Dem this time, I didn't do that to put Cameron in power."
Claire from Wells
"to pledge my support for labour, i voted tactically in this election (lib-dem) what a mistake that was!"
Neil from Teddington
"I wish I had done more to keep the Conservatives out of office. I voted Lib-Dem at the election tactically and wish I had voted with my true social beliefs."
Sarah from Truro
"I have decided to join, because like many, I did a tactical vote last Thursday. I voted Lib Dem instead of Labour, to stop the Conservatives getting in. What happened? My constituency is now Tory, the Tories are in 10 Downing Street and Nick Clegg has turned himself into some kind of Tory lap dog. I am very disappointed. Also Gordon Brown has been blamed unfairly for all of the problems we have to face and I think we have lost an excellent leader. I look forward to see who becomes the new leader, make it a good one! "
Joanna from Buckfastleigh
"I am a Lib Dem member and voted Lib Dem to keep the tories out, I believed that Lib Dem were a party that stood for the progressive left, I am now gutted to see them prop up a tory government.Though I am grateful that tory policies and government will be watered down by Lib Dems, I now view Labour as the only voice of the progressive left. I can never trust Lib Dems again with my vote. I will be cancelling my Lib Dem membership as of today."
James from Bristol
"I feel I have been let down by my previous political party (The Lib Dems) after they joined in coalition with the most right-wing Conservative party in recent years. As such, they no longer represent my political beliefs."
Daniel from Southend
"I always voted Labour, this time i voted Lib Dem....What a mistake. We don't realize what an amazing job Gordon Brown and the Labour party were doing.....We will now!"
Jonathan from Holt
"I voted tactically for Lib Dems to keep the Tories out. I'm disappointed a vote for Lib Dems ended up a vote for Tories."
Tom from Birkinhead
"I was so angered that my vote for the Liberal Democrats was usurped by Nick Clegg propping up a Tory government that I have decided to put my full weight behind the Labour party, I guess you could say I am coming home"
Victoria from Gloucester
"Because I do not think Tories should be in power, I voted Lib Dem however I think my vote was wasted and would rather have a labour government then a Tory government"
Michael from Hull
"Previous Lib Dem voter disgusted at the coalition, Labour are the only party who can deliver social equality in Britain. "
Patricia from Kendal
"I Have supported Labour in the past and believe strongly in its aims. I voted tactically in a mainly conservative constituency to support Lib Dems. They have now handed my vote to the Tories and I am appalled. I must support Labour now."
Steve from Stoke on Trent
"I voted Lib Dem because I believed in their policies above all others. I did not vote for them so that they could change them at the drop of a hat and form an alliance with the Conservatives. Labour offers the only true alternative to a Conservative Government."
Sarah from Cambridge
"I feel let down by the Liberal Democrats who I previously supported and now feel that the Labour Party are the only viable option for a fair Britain."
Billie from London
"I voted Liberal Democrat and am outraged at the betrayal of the Tory/Lib coalition. If I had wanted David Cameron and his cabinet I would have voted for them. I never thought I would join a political party but the Liberal Democrat's decision has spurred me into action. I feel I have to join the Labour party to offer my support publicly to the only remaining progressive party. "
What was it Clegg said when we said voting for them meant 'vote Clegg, get Cameron'? That was Labour playing the old politics. Yeah right. 'Don't let anyone tell you Clegg is anything other than a psuedo-Tory, propping up a Tory government which couldn't win a majority despite the easiest playing field for an Opposition party ever.'
And to the guy who came up last night and said why don't I stop knocking the Tories and give it a rest, let me tell you what I told him -- because elections are won and lost in years not weeks and the next one is already under way. And it will come sooner rather than later, and people need to be reminded now, at a time the media kiss the buttocks of Dick Clameron, of the reality of the Cameron failings and the Clegg betrayal. I for one won't tire of setting that out.
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Thanks to friend and foe alike for helping yesterday go byPublish date: 2010-01-13 08:49:25
So far so good in campaign to remove discriminatory lawPublish date: 2010-01-11 09:48:15
Thanks to Will Hutton for talking sense on 'class war'Publish date: 2010-01-10 12:56:48
In defence of airbrushed postersPublish date: 2010-01-09 16:45:29
Fire is always best turned on the ToriesPublish date: 2010-01-07 15:41:19
On Hoon-Hewitt and John PrescottPublish date: 2010-01-07 00:55:10
Sad and baffled to see Coyle goPublish date: 2010-01-05 16:26:05
Cameron's wobble the product of his team saying what their audiences want to hearPublish date: 2010-01-05 10:50:58
New Tory slogan - if you've got the cash, splash it on crap adsPublish date: 2010-01-02 12:11:18
And the musicians of the decade were ... The Beatles and The KingPublish date: 2009-12-31 18:52:25
Prepare for avalanche of Ashcroft posters for ToriesPublish date: 2009-12-30 15:06:06
Here's Good Luck to you, Mrs RobinsonPublish date: 2009-12-29 12:22:42
One man's White Christmas joy is another's football disasterPublish date: 2009-12-24 13:36:05
My favourite fact of the day - a French decimal time systemPublish date: 2009-12-23 16:48:00
A few crisis management tips for EurostarPublish date: 2009-12-22 11:49:35
Do we need same approach to booze as smoking?Publish date: 2009-12-19 09:13:28
Prepare for tears, tantrums and an imperfect but miraculous Copenhagen conclusionPublish date: 2009-12-18 10:23:03
London 2012 and Copenhagen today ... different approaches to tight deadlinesPublish date: 2009-12-16 11:13:21
Tiger cut off at the knees. I bet he'll be backPublish date: 2009-12-14 11:03:17
Cameron Shameron on the need for new laws to clarify Ashcroft tax statusPublish date: 2009-12-13 17:06:56
When poor mental health creates great art ...Publish date: 2009-12-12 15:21:13
Giggs gets my Sports Personality vote, but I'll miss the big momentPublish date: 2009-12-11 13:56:15
Tough day for Labour, but tough questions for Tories tooPublish date: 2009-12-10 10:03:13
Alistair Darling's quiet authority key part of recovery.Publish date: 2009-12-09 11:03:25
Clegg risks squeeze as election nearsPublish date: 2009-12-08 15:30:58
Copenhagen really matters. Guardian front page sets scene wellPublish date: 2009-12-07 10:26:33
Four years on, what do we think of Cameron's leadership?Publish date: 2009-12-06 13:55:17
Boris and Waddles, an everyday tale of Tory croneyismPublish date: 2009-12-05 09:53:35
The Speaker's wife is a credit to him, and spot on about Cameron's ToryismPublish date: 2009-12-04 10:52:37
PMQs win for GB was a direct result of Cameron's strategic failurePublish date: 2009-12-03 08:21:10
Cameron's conkers add to his problem with serious opinionPublish date: 2009-12-02 10:59:45
Sarko at risk of riling Obama and GB. Cameron on conkersPublish date: 2009-12-01 10:29:48
The life and death of the man who made the link between exercise and healthPublish date: 2009-11-28 11:37:29
Even top Tories think Dave and Co can't do piss up in a breweryPublish date: 2009-11-27 20:51:29
Well done BBC Inside Sport. Shame on media for news blackout on Coulson bullying casePublish date: 2009-11-26 13:59:57
Well done BBC in Mental Health Media awards. Looking forward to Inside Sport on depression tonightPublish date: 2009-11-25 10:26:22
BBC main bulletin blackout on leaders' speeches bizarrePublish date: 2009-11-24 10:17:48
Business right to be worried about Tory axe on RDAsPublish date: 2009-11-23 10:17:12
Why should Brown and Cameron apologise for being seen to pay tribute to the war dead?Publish date: 2009-11-22 11:12:38
Beware climate change denial dressed up as 'commonsense'Publish date: 2009-11-21 12:54:27
Something for the weekend - a long lazy blog lifted from interviewsPublish date: 2009-11-20 12:35:23
If France and FIFA won't act on Thierry Henry, let's have a boycott of Gillette razorsPublish date: 2009-11-19 10:09:00
Never in the history of human taxation has so much been promised from so many to so fewPublish date: 2009-11-18 18:32:39
Tories far from 'effete and unfamiliar' when it comes to twisted tax prioritiesPublish date: 2009-11-18 09:52:12
Two very different stories of depressionPublish date: 2009-11-17 17:17:11
Congrats to Ellie on PPB campaign, and Willy Hague on getting van RompuyPublish date: 2009-11-17 11:40:14
Private schools worse than State schools - unless it's drugs you're after. DiscussPublish date: 2009-11-16 12:10:25
Fiona Millar 5 Toby Young 0Publish date: 2009-11-15 13:18:38
Where we fight we winPublish date: 2009-11-13 11:22:00
Good luck to Number 10 on 'lobby' review. And a big NO to the other PRPublish date: 2009-11-12 14:39:11
Robert Enke RIP. May his death increase understanding of depressionPublish date: 2009-11-11 17:59:53
On the exploitation of grief to get GordonPublish date: 2009-11-11 08:59:01
Why Tories are not home and dry, and wrong to call GB callousPublish date: 2009-11-10 13:00:20
Labour needs more of the winning mentalityPublish date: 2009-11-09 10:30:44
The scandal of friendship and the shame of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?Publish date: 2009-11-07 10:53:53
US clarity of strategy required for full explanation on AfghanistanPublish date: 2009-11-06 10:31:48
Just because he is French doesn't mean he's wrongPublish date: 2009-11-05 10:58:46
Congratulations to David Cameron and Trevor KavanaghPublish date: 2009-11-04 10:34:36
Is there a Sun blackout on Cameron's dumping of 'cast iron guarantee' on Europe?Publish date: 2009-11-03 20:37:04
Johnson seems to get it on immigration. Right on advisors advising tooPublish date: 2009-11-03 11:58:59
Public opinion on climate change - the public might be the problemPublish date: 2009-11-02 11:37:23
In praise of Stephen Fry, who should tweet or not as he sees fitPublish date: 2009-11-01 09:29:34
John Sergeant spot on re TB. TB's Olympics legacy. Liam Gallagher's generosityPublish date: 2009-10-30 11:50:44
Conservative contortions on Europe and BlairPublish date: 2009-10-29 11:44:12
Two-jobs Osborne suffering credibility deficitPublish date: 2009-10-28 09:14:22
Canaries win AC spin award with dark nights productivity surveyPublish date: 2009-10-27 09:41:48
Blair - dead big in Japan!Publish date: 2009-10-26 17:21:17
No complacency, variants on a themePublish date: 2009-10-24 09:48:46
Griffin may have been dreadful, but there can be no complacencyPublish date: 2009-10-23 11:57:29
Margaret Hodge MP on how to fight the BNPPublish date: 2009-10-22 16:48:39
Thanks to Charlie Falconer and Dominic Grieve - yes, I know he is a ToryPublish date: 2009-10-21 17:24:18
On Biscuitgate, barmy Tory policy, and BNP v GeneralsPublish date: 2009-10-21 10:36:15
More on Obergruppenfuhrer Dacre, Biscuitgate and Bullingdon ConservatismPublish date: 2009-10-20 12:16:37
Biscuitgate and Susan Boyle, no win territory for GBPublish date: 2009-10-19 12:31:00
Hating the Mail - a mindset worth havingPublish date: 2009-10-17 11:28:12
A line by line guide to the Mail statement on Gately article outragePublish date: 2009-10-16 19:12:36
Hit the Mail where it hurtsPublish date: 2009-10-16 16:36:02
Talking Cameron and Obama with US Democrats. Progressive Convervatism? No, he can'tPublish date: 2009-10-16 10:02:40
Inspired by kids' green passionPublish date: 2009-10-14 18:24:13
Good news on leukaemia, good news on student activismPublish date: 2009-10-13 08:24:21
Musings from Bertie Ahern, and how I won the Nobel prize for literaturePublish date: 2009-10-12 09:26:18
Continuing double standards in the mediaPublish date: 2009-10-11 11:36:21
The best policies in Cameron's speech were those of Labour Big GovernmentPublish date: 2009-10-08 17:07:40
Tongues slipping all over the placePublish date: 2009-10-08 09:00:07
Cameron confuses strategy and tactics and puts Union at riskPublish date: 2009-10-07 10:29:26
Osborne inspires apathy at BBC LeedsPublish date: 2009-10-06 16:01:59
Let's see more of the Tory candidates pleasePublish date: 2009-10-06 09:23:11
Labour needs to fight on record to stop Tory vandalismPublish date: 2009-10-05 14:28:40
VacuDave goes all peevish at difficult questions. Bring on the debatesPublish date: 2009-10-04 23:33:52
Lots of joking around in Jersey, though nothing as hysterical as Dave's Europe positionPublish date: 2009-10-03 10:31:22
On The Sun, Obama in Copenhagen and Alistair McGowan on the looPublish date: 2009-10-01 10:59:49
Sun switches ain't wot they used to bePublish date: 2009-09-30 10:17:14
Darling and Mandelson show what I mean by authenticityPublish date: 2009-09-28 16:28:18
Serious Politics 1 Low Journalism 0Publish date: 2009-09-27 11:55:54
Media's love for Cameron should be turned into a weaknessPublish date: 2009-09-26 10:30:03
Time for ministers to stand up and fightPublish date: 2009-09-25 09:40:26
Today's media double standards watchPublish date: 2009-09-24 09:29:45
Breaking News - GB wins award, Lib Dems face all waysPublish date: 2009-09-23 09:43:49
Why authenticity is the key to comms, and why Merkel will winPublish date: 2009-09-22 08:29:13
Why I love NHS walk-in centresPublish date: 2009-09-21 12:13:03
Here goes with the smoked SalmondPublish date: 2009-09-20 10:40:21
Breaking News - Cameron's vacuousness an impersonator's nightmarePublish date: 2009-09-19 11:06:09
Cameron has an army of spin doctors - aka journalistsPublish date: 2009-09-18 10:07:06
On Scottish independence, Cameron's short-termism, and Jimmy Carter being rightPublish date: 2009-09-17 09:56:56
Is Cameron Alex Salmond's Trojan Horse?Publish date: 2009-09-15 10:13:42
On the TUC, Roy of the Rovers and Anna WintourPublish date: 2009-09-14 11:04:46
Memo to Apple boss Steve JobsPublish date: 2009-09-13 17:36:31
A day in the life of a (crap) City traderPublish date: 2009-09-11 17:52:25
Defend record with pride, attack Tories with gustoPublish date: 2009-09-10 11:06:36
Cameron's Conservatism beyond parodyPublish date: 2009-09-09 10:38:00
On transforned cities, and tales of Princess Di and Laura BushPublish date: 2009-09-08 09:45:54
Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question TimePublish date: 2009-09-06 12:39:56
School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at ObamaPublish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02
More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah pleasePublish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20
Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacyPublish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34
First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshellPublish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19
TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43
'No worries' - the new response to thanksPublish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19
Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Stephen
2010-05-15 12:26:29I wanted a hung parliament because Labour was incapable of making the break from the legacies of 13 years in power.
Labour now needs to focus on being an effective opposition instead of pretending to itself that the electorate made a big mistake that they now regret....
Ian
2010-05-15 12:09:36Excellent blog Alastair. More power to your elbow as you're speaking for a hell of a lot of us. Great to see so many new members joining Labour.
David
2010-05-15 11:07:47Huge pat on the back over how you handled Adam Boulton both times during the election. But I find the whole Conocrat hook up morally bankrupt. As a long standing Lib Dem voter back in Hampshire I'm now switching my vote to Labour or Green. Just depends on who keeps the reactionaries out.
As for the guaranteed 5 year term of government, oh please.
Steve Dyke
2010-05-15 09:31:23Not a lot of trust of Lib Dems on Tory side judging by Christopher Chopes interview on Newsnight... It won't last , therefore we have to be ready
Dee from London
2010-05-15 06:17:47I am in Tory majority constituency and we voted Liberal to keep the Tories out but to see the LD's gushing over them is is inducing a feeling of extreme nausea. Time to return to Labour. Let's get back to principles, politics and beliefs.
Justin
2010-05-15 03:22:49It becomes clearer every minute that Labour is only interested in being in power and not in the wellbeing of the country. The constant harping on a 3 day old government is simply amazing. If it was a Tory minority government Labour would be going on and on about it.
The simple fact is that Labour is intent on destabilizing the country and would happy to see it in even a bigger mess that they left it in if it means they can get back into power.
Bar Bar of OZ
2010-05-15 00:12:33TB's transformational achievement was to force the Tories into morphing the party into his image.
But it turns out it took two Blair wannabee clones to equal one Tony. So there is a chance for Labour.
But it won't win again until it takes back the reform agenda. It will be interesting to see which, if any, of the candidates understand this as well as TB did.
Oonagh Magennis
2010-05-15 00:09:23Hi Alastair, I've just watched your interview on The Late Late Show in Ireland. I was a fan a yours before but I think you have endeared yourself even more to the Irish people. I am from the North of Ireland and we greatly appreciate the efforts of the New Labour Party in bringing about peace and a normal way of live to the North. After all the Brits put us in that situation in the first place..its the least you could do! On a more serious note, I can't believe the people of England have voted for a Tory party to govern the UK. As if Cameron wasn't bad enough he has added that "Gobshite" Clegg to the equation. I think it'll be a disaster for both Britain and NI. The only good thing is that we now have elected representatives on all sides of the community here who all want to work for the common good for all the people of NI. I hope they stand up to whatever the UK Government try to throw at them with regard cuts because we've been through enough in general without the recession we are in getting any worse. Anyway, just want to wish you all the best in whatver you go on to do now and if you need any workers in the future theer are a lot of Political Gradutes over in Ireland, like myself, who have yet to be given the opportunity to work in the political arena. By the way Donnacha O'Callaghan can't sleep easy tonight...you didn't make a "balls" of the interview. Good Luck.;)
Graham Jones
2010-05-14 22:49:09The thing that Osbourne has never understood, is that good business is based on confidence and trust. There has been an adverse reaction to the drastic cuts in Greece, Spain and Portugal, and Gideon wants to go the same route. Our level of debt has never been the problem, due to the size of our GDP, but the tories could never understand this. The fundamental issue that needs to be addressed, has actually been adressed, by Labour pre-election. Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling, saw the principle of confidence was best addressed by concentrating on investment in both ppublic services to steady the economy, and government investment in British industry.
Now, the tories plans to cut these areas, which could lead to the undermining of confidence. Osbourne has no grip on the concept of confidence, as he was guilty of ill-advised comments during opposition, which could have led to a run on the pound. No wonder the businessmen you have been meeting, are not amused by the outcome of the general election.
Alan McAulay
2010-05-14 22:20:50I have been intrigued over the past few days . We have seen all the past Lib Dem leaders trotted out in front of the press to support Nick Cleggs deal with the Cameroons. We have seen Paddy Ashdown, Ming the magnificent, David Steele , but no Charle Kennedy. Is he too busy donning his Ross County scarf for the cup final tomorrow or have I missed any comment from him or his unwavering support for this crazy coalition.
Or does he need to have over 55% approval from the Lib Dem Mps to make comment and break ranks by saying what a nonsense this deal is ?
PS do you know if Adam Boulton managed to find his blood pressure tablets after his wee spat the other night. He looked like Mr Creosote in the meaning of Life seconds before he blew up !!
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Mark Flagg
2010-05-14 21:22:39Dear Alistair,
Thanks for putting that pip squeek Boulton in his place...he's been oozing smugness about Gordon and Labour for years, now people like him have got what they have been wishing for , the wizard of oz alliance, or wet dream ticket, I think they are getting a bit worried that once UK People Ltd realise that all of this was one big Tory led, Liberal supported media hyoed conspiracy to screw the Nation again, that the media might be up there with the most hated list too. Ordinary people I speak too are saying that they now realise that they were fed bull from the media about how awful things were, with Labour, to make choose change to what? Change that works for you....no Change that works for Blue, or Change you can believe in .....no Change that you can be-lied in....I have re joined labour after a few years off...I am furious with the likes of Sky and the rag bag yellow tories, (Tory -lites) and the real Tories of course. I will not be rested until we get rid of this bunch of crooks...plus I will be watching carefully the likes of Boulton,to see how enthusiasic he is for this government as the inevitable chaos descends..It's like giving a bunch of joyriders a key to the whole multi story car park - You had him bang to rights- well done! We need a few more like you Alastair...keep at it! I'm loving it...
Claire Ryan
2010-05-14 20:28:35Dear Alastair,
As I am Irish and have a great interest in politics in general, (election result nights always mean hardly any sleep!) it has been very interesting to watch developments unfolding in the UK over this past election campaign from the outside.
If it were possible, I would have voted Labour, their policies and political personell being far more appealing to me than anything offered up by either the Lib Dems or Tories.
On one hand, I have admiration for Nick Clegg in stikcking to what he said before the election - the party with the biggest manddate (largest numbers of both seats and votes) should have the chance first of forming a Government. Too often we see politicians promising the sun, moon and stars during the campaign, while the moment they are elected, all of this goes up in smoke.
However, I was quite surprised when he went into a full coalition with Cameron. I think this is a risk. I am doubtful whether this government will go the full term and if it does fall, I think the Lib Dems will probably be blamed for forcing the public into another expensive election so soon after the one just gone by. As a result, Clegg is sure to lose more seats than he did last week and will find it hard to recover. The Tories would suffer too obviously, but they have the numbers and are strong enough.
I hope now that Labour's next leader will be successful in bringing the party back into Government. Gordon Brown should be proud of what he achieved.
I look forward to watching your interview on television here tonight.
Alan Parrott
2010-05-14 18:57:15It really is amazing that people voted lib dem to keep the tories out. That was clearly going to be doomed from the start. Far more constructive would have been voting to get rid of Brown , Mandelson and the other rather shabby people that now call themselves labour - that includes you Alastair. Labour cannot be called socialist at this time - get rid of the hangers on.
kathy
2010-05-14 18:53:20Will you all please just shut up and stop whinging. The 55% thing will never happen. You are all getting wound up over nothing.Bad Losers all of you! Just concentrate on getting back to Labour's old standards. Ditch all the spin doctors and evil lords and union bullies and people may once again come back to the party that once was the proud champion of the working class. Get a decent leader all the contenders have too much history especially the Millibands and Balls and wife. A fresh face, not tainted by the sleaze and corruption of the Blair/Brown governments. Then and only then when Labour have found its honesty and values again people like me will come back to Labour and vote for them again. Let the people have a voice again and don't ignore it like you did before.
Jacquie R
2010-05-14 18:27:48Surely, Labour voters who tactically switched to Lib Dem in Con/Lib marginals should be PLEASED they'd voted Lib Dem, whatever they think of them. Why are so many regretful? If they'd voted Labour, they might have handed Cameron a majority.
If I'm just not getting it, would someone please explain.
peter cameron
2010-05-14 18:10:23Alastair,
It would be interesting to hear what you think about this 'democratic' wheeze by Ant and Dec that a 55% vote would be needed in Parliament to dissolve the government of the day.
dc
2010-05-14 17:57:11Totally agree. the one thing that worries me is the blatant self interest, and total disregard by the coalition regarding the set term parliament and the 55% margin needed to dissolve it. this is clear self serving to ensure that not matter how up popular the government becomes, even if the lib dems faulter, the tories cannot be removed.
tories on their own make up 47%, tories and libdems make up 53% all parties, excluding the tories make up 53%. therefore it seems impossible to remove a government without the addition of 16 tory mps, which is hiughly unlikely.
Danny Start
2010-05-14 16:34:21Ps: this has got to be a coup by the Public School elite - classless Britain? do me ****ing favour...
Danny Start
2010-05-14 16:31:57One of the most sickening things, in the aftermath of the election and Gordon resigning, is the palpable smug cheerfulness of civil servants, governor of Bank of England - at getting their boy into office. On top of the most one-sided media in history, it's enough to make anyone sick.
Patrick James
2010-05-14 16:28:38I know a lot of LGBT people (being gay myself) who voted for the Lib Dems because of course, before the election the Lib Dems did have very good policies on LGBT issues.
Now my friends find that their votes have been used to create a government with Theresa May as Home Secretary and Minister for Equality.
Needless to say they feel deeply betrayed by this.
Steve Dyke
2010-05-14 16:08:20The sad thing is so many of the people quoted on the blog voted libdem to "stop the tories" in labour tory marginals e.g gloucester . If 60 + have bothered to come on your website and tell you.. how many are out there. I rejoined the labour party during the election when Clegg was on about getting second in the popular vote .. libdems still claim they put their popular vote up by a million .. these all seem to be labour people voting tactically. Always vote
Mal from Wallasey
2010-05-14 16:04:40I had voted Labour in the General Election as much because the Lib Dems had no chance of getting in than actually because I wanted Labour to remain in power. Things like the Digital Economy Bill and Iraq had driven a wedge between me and the party that I've always supported.
However there's a snowball chance in hell that I'd ever vote Murdoch...I mean Tory and the Lib Dem's cosying up to them has ensured that I'll probably never vote for them either, whatever changes are made to the electoral system.
And so I've found myself not only moving back to supporting Labour, but for the first time actually joining a political party.
My hope is that Labour will return to Government reinvigorated and will have learned its lessons.
Trus Wrodbrochen
2010-05-14 16:00:52Alastair, we're looking for a big-name stand-up comedian to host an awards ceremony at The Hilton on Park Lane next March. Would you be interested?
twiga07
2010-05-14 15:32:35Nick Robinson started work as BBC Political Editor in August 2005, Cameron got elected as Tory Leader August 2005. Smell something fishy?
He has done his job over last 4 years and 8 months by putting his man in 10 Downing Street. What will be his next challenge?
Vernon Turner
2010-05-14 15:12:47Thank you Alastair for putting the bumptious Boulton in his place. He lost the discussion with his frantic arm waving and became the ultimate blusterer. He couldn't cope outside his cozy pontificating on Sky. The Labour Party needs you. Thanks again. Vernon
Fen5
2010-05-14 13:36:50Thought you should know that David Howarth, the LidDem ex-Cambridge MP - behind the 55% stitch up - quoted in Guardian - isn't a constitutional lawyer. He doesn't even work in the Law Faculty at Cambridge but in Land Economy. No wonder it is wrong on so many levels.
Claire
2010-05-14 13:29:38If I was a Lib Dem I'd be pissed off now too. Clegg has sold his soul to the dark side, and has been seduced by the promise of government and power. It's the pomp and ceremonies that GB referred to in his very dignified resignation speech on Tuesday. If Clegg was bothered about making a difference he would have left the Tories to form a minority government, and continued with the fight for the progressive political agenda that he apparently endorses!
Fortunately I did not vote Lib Dem so I have a guilt free conscience.
Allybob
2010-05-14 13:21:35Hi Alastair - do you know the numbers of people coming to Labour and leaving the Tory-Lites? Also, still wondering why you think the BBC - Best Back Cameron went with the reprehensible media flow. Whats in it for them. Who's side is Diane Abbott on by the way?
CB
2010-05-14 13:13:34Hi Alastair,
Something I noticed about the new government and their 55% rule.
This is either an undemocratic stitch-up, or just a prime example of how not to communicate your plans to the country via the media. I suspect the latter.
As I see it, there was this mention of it in the Coalition agreement and since no announcement, in the form of briefing or press statement or otherwise. Because of this communication breakdown, speculation has run riot and you have constitutional experts like Peter Hennessey coming on national TV to say what a rubbish idea it is.
Additionally, it fuels discontent amongst backbenchers.
This is surely the first evidence of underlying problems in the government - conveying the simple task of explaining your plans, and they can't even do that.
A sign of things to come?
Nigel
2010-05-14 12:40:45I would liked to have voted for Labour, but there was no representative here in SE Cambridgeshire due to the firing of John Cowan. How did someone who used to be in the Lib Dems, then tried to get in to the Tories, ever become accepted into Labour? It clearly puts the idea that a politician's ideals can have nothing whatsoever to do with the philosophy of the party they belong to. This would almost create mass apathy amongst voters.
grumpy old man
2010-05-14 12:40:18Dear Alistair. Looks like you are getting back all those who went LibDem when Tony Blair won the battle to make Labour electable. I wish you well of them as Labour returns to it's original role of the Party of Protest.
Alan W
2010-05-14 12:15:03Alastair - Stop, retire, get over it, relax. Fin.
All the best,
Alan
Joe
2010-05-14 12:14:00Two emails from Lib Dem voting friends in past few days:
1. "They've abandoned everything I supported them for."
2. "I feel guity.
Drastic action was needed....
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: 12 May 2010 11:42
Subject: Thank you for joining the Labour Party
Dear xxx
You just joined the Labour Party! Thanks for choosing to become a Party member, because our people are our greatest asset.
johnj
2010-05-14 12:10:38If there was a Gold medal to be had in sour grapes you'd be World Champion several times over.
David
2010-05-14 11:39:25Thanks for this article. Pleasant and accurate read. I live in the States, but if I could have voted Labour last week, I'd have been the first one to the polls. The election season has made me take a good deal of interest in British politics, and I wish it had come in a better season for Labour. I'll be studying at Hull in the coming spring term, and in my time in the country I hope to help the Labour party out in whatever way I can. For now, I'll content myself with reading your blog and tweeting my thoughts. It's always nice to come here and read a sensible, well-written blog from a great man. All the best from Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA,
-David (@profcedar)
Colin
2010-05-14 11:35:49Alistair, I salute you sir!!
I have just watched your ding dong with Sky News' Adam "pass me my dummy" Boulton. You are now officially my hero! Quality :0)
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